Toothbrush handgrip and kit

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed toward a toothbrush having a uniquely shaped handgrip integrally supporting a toothbrush, as well as a stand for holding at least one toothbrush and at least one tube of toothpaste, the multiple items, together, forming a unique kit for oral hygiene purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present relates to hygiene, and more particularly, oral hygiene. The invention extends to items used in a bathroom to increase oral hygiene. Moreover, the invention relates to a toothbrush handgrip; and a kit, comprising said handgrip and items associated therewith.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is well known that a toothbrush body comprises a handle portion and a head portion, which portions are mainly manufactured as a single unit that is of unitary construction and integrally formed. Bristles are ubiquitously formed on the head portion and may be attached thereto after manufacturing of the toothbrush body.

Toothbrushes that are not properly cared for and stored after use may present a harbouring area for germs. Although it is known that foul bristles or an inadequately cleaned toothbrush body may lead to unhygienic conditions when the toothbrush is used again after being left foul, people often neglect the fact that during the toothbrushing process, unhygienic conditions may also occur.

A person's hands are always in contact with some part of the toothbrush handle during the brushing process and, as such, a mixture of saliva, water and toothpaste inevitably flows, because of gravity, from the bristles towards the handle and onto the hand during brushing.

The above-described scenario is not ideal, and therefore this specification aims to address, at least in part, the above-described shortcomings by providing a toothbrush handgrip; and a kit, comprising said handgrip and items associated therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the broadest aspect of this invention there is provided a handgrip for holding a toothbrush, the handgrip comprising a body defining a hollow interior in which a handle portion of the toothbrush can be seated.

In accordance with another broad aspect of this invention there is provided a handgrip for holding a toothbrush, the handgrip comprising a body defining toothbrush gripping means and a channel into which, or a passage through which, a handle portion of the toothbrush can extend.

In an embodiment of the invention the passage may resemble the shape and configuration of any known toothbrush handle.

The invention further provides for the internal gripping means to comprise a yieldable rubber or plastics member provided on an internal sidewall of the tubular body adapted to establish a friction fit between at least part of the toothbrush handgrip and at least part of the toothbrush handle portion.

In a further embodiment of the invention the generally tubular body may be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the passage; alternatively, the generally tubular body may be asymmetrical.

In an embodiment of the invention the passage may be flanked by a rectilinear or irregularly shaped longitudinally extending underside and a rectilinear or irregularly shaped longitudinally extending upper side. The upper side and underside may be equidistantly spaced apart throughout their length or may differ in spatial orientation relative to an axis of the passage.

In an embodiment of the invention the generally tubular body may comprise a convexly arcuate underside and a concavely arcuate upper side; alternatively, the generally tubular body may comprise a concavely arcuate underside and a concavely arcuate upper side; further alternatively, both the upper side and underside may comprise convexly arcuate and concavely arcuate portions.

Both the upper side and the underside may comprise a raised, arcuate finger gripping portion integral with said generally tubular body and extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the width of said body.

The handgrip may in another embodiment of this invention be integrally formed with a toothbrush to form part of a shaft thereof. Accordingly, the invention extends to a toothbrush including a handgrip as herein above described.

The invention extends to a stand for the toothbrush handgrip described herein above, the stand comprising at least one upright extending from a base, the upright providing contact points against which the body of the toothbrush handgrip can be supported in a suspended position.

A first contact point may be provided by an upper edge of the at least one upright. A second contact point may be provided by an outward facing side of the at least one upright.

The base may be extended in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the at least one upright to provide locating space for additional oral hygiene care items on said base.

The invention further extends to an oral hygiene care kit comprising: a toothbrush handgrip and a stand as described herein above. Alternatively, the kit may comprise: a toothbrush handgrip and a stand as described herein above; and any one or more items selected from the group consisting of at least one: toothbrush, glass, cup, mouthwash, dental floss container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying non-limiting diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a front isometric view of a toothbrush handgrip according to one embodiment of the invention, with a toothbrush handle portion extending there through;

FIG. 2 shows a rear isometric view of the toothbrush handgrip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a front isometric view of the toothbrush handgrip of FIG. 1, with hidden features shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation of the toothbrush handgrip of FIG. 1, in use; and

FIG. 5 shows a side elevation of the toothbrush handgrip of FIG. 1, forming part of a kit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a toothbrush handgrip (10) in accordance with this invention is shown. The handgrip (10) can be regarded as a handle and/or a holder of a toothbrush and is believed to contribute to more hygienic brushing of teeth since, when not in use, it can be suspended from an upper edge of any glass or cup or suitable stand (best shown in FIG. 5) so that a common toothbrush (8) can be held by it.

Importantly, the toothbrush handgrip (10) is shaped to minimise physical contact between a hand (4), as best shown in FIG. 4, of a person brushing teeth and a toothbrush shaft portion (6).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the handgrip (10) has a generally tubular body (12) that defines a passage (14) through which the toothbrush shaft portion (6) can extend. In FIG. 3, the body (12) also includes toothbrush gripping means (16) in the form of a rubber member suitably positioned on an inner sidewall (18) of the body (12) and shaped to engage and grip against an outer surface (20) of the toothbrush shaft portion (6) when the toothbrush (8) is in its stored position projecting through the passage (14) defined in the body (12). It is envisaged that the gripping means (16) may take any suitable shape and configuration as long as it is capable of functioning to grip at least a part of the toothbrush handle portion (6) against at least part of the inner sidewall (18), as best shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. In so doing, enough space is left between the remainder of the toothbrush shaft portion (6) and the inner sidewall (18) through which a mixture of saliva, toothpaste and water can flow through the passage (14) typically into a wash basin.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the body (12) is asymmetrical with a curved underside (22) and curved upper side (24). However, the applicants believe that other non-shown embodiments wherein the body is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the passage, also falls within the ambit of this invention. Similarly, other embodiments wherein the body defines a passage flanked by a rectilinear or irregularly shaped longitudinally extending underside and a rectilinear or irregularly shaped longitudinally extending upper side, also fall within the scope of this invention. The upper side and underside may be even be equidistantly spaced apart throughout their respective lengths or may differ in spatial orientation relative to an axis of the passage as shown in the figures.

As shown in FIG. 3, the generally tubular body (12) has a concavely arcuate underside (22) and a concavely arcuate upper side (24). The respective concave sections are disposed adjacent a first opening (26) to the passage (14) and close to two opposing raised, arcuate finger gripping portions or flanges (28.1; 28.2) integral with the body (12) and extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the width of the body (12). In FIG. 1, both the underside (22) and upper side (24) further includes more pronounced convex sections (30.1; 30.2) adjacent a second opening (32) of the body (12). The combination of convex and concave sections together with the raised, arcuate finger gripping portions (28.1; 28.2) resembles the shape of a Lily flower with its large trumpet-shaped, typically fragrant, flower on a tall, slender stem.

FIG. 5 depicts how this invention is not limited to the handgrip (10) alone, but also extends to a stand (50) for the toothbrush handgrip (10) described herein above. The stand (50) has an upright (52) that extends from a base (54), the upright (52) providing contact or pressure points (56),(58) against which the body (12) of the toothbrush handgrip (10) can be supported in a suspended position. As shown, the first contact point (56) is provided by an upper edge of the upright (52) while a second contact point (58) is provided by an outward facing side of the upright (52).

In a non-shown embodiment of the invention, the base (54) may be extended in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the upright (52) to provide locating space for additional oral hygiene care items on the base (54).

It is envisaged that the invention extends to an oral hygiene care kit (100), as shown in FIG. 5, consisting of a toothbrush handgrip (10) and a stand (50) as described herein above. It will be appreciated that the kit (100) may further include a variety of other associated oral care products selected from the group consisting of a toothbrush, glass, cup, mouthwash, dental floss container to name but few.

While preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the extent of the invention, but rather it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate methods, including: methods, for manufacturing/moulding and/or putting together the kit (100) and toothbrush handgrip (10), as well as the stand (50) falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The applicants believe that the kit (100) and toothbrush handgrip (10), as well as the stand (50) of the present invention, at least in part, addresses shortcomings in existing oral hygiene products and provide comfort of use by all and sundry.

The invention for which patent protection is sought is defined in the set of claims which follows. 

1. A handgrip for holding a toothbrush, the handgrip comprising a body defining a hollow interior in which a handle portion of the toothbrush can be seated.
 2. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein the body defines a toothbrush gripping means extending inward relative to the body so as to be in operative abuttance with the handle portion when the toothbrush is seated in the hollow interior of the handgrip.
 3. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein the hollow interior is defined by a socket into which a handle portion of the toothbrush can extend.
 4. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein the hollow interior takes the shape of a passage through which a handle portion of the toothbrush can extend.
 5. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein the hollow interior is shaped to seat and accommodate any one of a number of common toothbrush handles.
 6. The handgrip of claim 2, wherein the internal gripping means comprises a yieldable member provided on an internal sidewall of the body adapted to, in use, establish a friction fit between at least part of the handgrip and at least part of the toothbrush handle portion.
 7. The handgrip of claim 6, wherein the body is asymmetrical about a lengthwise axis extending through the body.
 8. The handgrip of claim 6, wherein the body is symmetrical about a lengthwise axis extending through the body.
 9. The handgrip of claim 6, wherein the body is generally tubular.
 10. The handgrip of claim 6, wherein the hollow interior is flanked by an underside and opposing upper side, the respective underside and upper side being either rectilinear longitudinally extending- or irregularly shaped
 11. The handgrip of claim 10, wherein the upper side and underside each remains equidistantly spaced apart throughout their respective lengths.
 12. The handgrip of claim 10, wherein the upper side and underside each differ along their respective lengths in spatial orientation and relative to an axis of the hollow interior.
 13. The handgrip of claim 10, wherein the underside comprises a shape selected from convexly arcuate and concavely arcuate.
 14. The handgrip of claim 10, wherein the upper side comprises a shape selected from convexly arcuate and concavely arcuate.
 15. The handgrip of claim 10, wherein the upper side and the underside each comprise a raised, arcuate finger gripping portion integral with said generally body and extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the width of said body.
 16. A toothbrush comprising a handgrip for holding a handle portion of the toothbrush, the handgrip comprising a body defining a hollow interior in which a handle portion of the toothbrush can be seated.
 17. A stand for a toothbrush handgrip, the latter being adapted to hold a toothbrush and comprising a body defining a hollow interior in which a handle portion of the toothbrush can be seated; the stand comprising at least one upright extending from a base, the upright providing at least one contact point against which the body of the toothbrush handgrip can be supported in a suspended position.
 18. The stand of claim 17, wherein a first contact point is provided by an upper edge of the at least one upright and a second contact point is provided by an outward facing side of the at least one upright.
 19. The stand of claim 18, wherein the base is extended in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the at least one upright to provide locating space for additional oral hygiene care items on said base.
 20. An oral hygiene care kit comprising: a toothbrush handgrip adapted to hold a toothbrush and comprising a body defining a hollow interior in which a handle portion of the toothbrush can be seated; and a stand, comprising at least one upright extending from a base, the upright providing at least one contact point against which the body of the toothbrush handgrip can be supported in a suspended position.
 21. The oral hygiene care kit of claim 20, comprising any one or more items selected from the group consisting of: toothbrush, glass, cup, mouthwash, dental floss container. 